I prefer OEM and elring over VR as well, but this is what Arnold sent me and this is what I'm going to use. Also 9 sec Aaron approves these head gaskets, if they work for him i know it will work for me...

It's all about prep.

Clean the surfaces. Make sure there's no fluid in the holes before you put the studs/bolts in, etc etc

Damn....I been on vaca for a month and I come back and this thread is wrecked...
I see your doing big things Tom! Nice! Everyone on the tex who talked sh_t about your rod situation for all that time should buck up and send you rod install duckets...
So I gotta ask...is the PSA AR you got the NOBO "anti-obama" edition?
And my two cents on header wrap is like so....I had a few sets of headers crack that were wrapped with header wrap. I was told by the company that it was due to the header wrap(they did warranty and replace). With the headers wrapped the heat can't escape and it leads to failure. Actually now a days most companies will not warranty the parts if they have been wrapped. That being said, I like Vegeta have also had some items wrapped up for a long time with zero issue. To be clear....I am not saying the wrap caused your breakage...

Damn....I been on vaca for a month and I come back and this thread is wrecked...
I see your doing big things Tom! Nice! Everyone on the tex who talked sh_t about your rod situation for all that time should buck up and send you rod install duckets...
So I gotta ask...is the PSA AR you got the NOBO "anti-obama" edition?
And my two cents on header wrap is like so....I had a few sets of headers crack that were wrapped with header wrap. I was told by the company that it was due to the header wrap(they did warranty and replace). With the headers wrapped the heat can't escape and it leads to failure. Actually now a days most companies will not warranty the parts if they have been wrapped. That being said, I like Vegeta have also had some items wrapped up for a long time with zero issue. To be clear....I am not saying the wrap caused your breakage...